Poulan 172777 manual Before Starting Engine, Mowing Tips, To Start Engine, Fill Engine with OIL

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE	•	Hold operator presence control bar
Read engine manual packed with your unit.		down against handle.
FILL ENGINE WITH OIL	•	Pull starter handle quickly. Do not allow
Your lawn mower is shipped without oil in		starter rope to snap back.
	•	For engines equipped with choke, slowly
the engine.
		move engine speed control lever to
• Be sure mower is level and area around
		FAST position after engine starts.
oil fill is clean.
	•	To STOP engine, release operator pres-
• Remove engine oil filler plug (oil fill cap/
		ence engine control bar.
dipstick on models so equipped).
	NOTE: For engines with a primer, it may be
• Slowly add oil. For type and grade of
	necessary to repeat priming steps in cooler
oil to use, see “ENGINE” in the Mainte-
	weather. In warmer weather, overpriming
nance section of this manual.
	may cause flooding and engine will not start.
• Fill to the top of slot in filler hole (to
	If you do flood engine, wait a few minutes
“FULL” line on dipstick on models so
	before attempting to start and DO NOT
equipped). Do not overfill.
	repeat priming steps.
• Replace plug (oil fill cap/dipstick on
models so equipped) and tighten.	Operator presence		Recoil
• Check oil level before each use. Add oil	control bar		starter
as needed.			handle
• To change oil, see “TO CHANGE EN-	Recoil starter		(center
GINE OIL” in the Maintenance section of	handle (side		mount
this manual.	mount type)		type)
FILL GASOLINE TANK	MOWING TIPS
• Fill gasoline tank with fresh, clean, un-
	• For most cutting conditions and better
leaded gasoline. DO NOT USE PRE-
		bagging performance, the engine speed
MIUM GASOLINE. BE CAREFUL NOT
		should be set in the FAST position.
TO OVERFILL TANK.
	•	Under certain conditions, such as when
WARNING: Experience indicates that
		mowing very tall grass, raise the mower
alcohol blended fuels (called gasohol or
		height on the first cut to reduce pushing
using ethanol or methanol) can attract
		effort, to avoid overheating the engine, and
moisture which leads to separation and
		to avoid leaving clumps of grass clippings.
formation of acids during storage. Acidic gas
		Make the second cut to the desired height.
can damage the fuel system of an engine
	•	For extremely heavy cutting, reduce the
while in storage. To avoid engine problems,
		width of cut.
the fuel system should be emptied before
	•	For side discharge lawn mowers, cut in a
storage of 30 days or longer. Drain the fuel
		counterclockwise direction, starting at the
tank, start the engine and let it run until fuel
		outside of the area to be cut, in order to
lines and carburetor are empty. Use fresh
		spread grass clippings more evenly and
fuel next season. See Storage Instructions
		to put less load on the engine. To keep
for additional information. Never use engine
		clippings off of walkways, flower beds, etc.,
or carburetor cleaner products in fuel tank or
		make the first cuts in a clockwise direction.
permanent damage may occur.
	•	When using a rear discharge lawn
TO START ENGINE
		mower in moist, heavy grass, clumps
CAUTION: The mower blade rotates		of cut grass may not enter the grass
whenever the engine is running.		catcher. Reduce ground speed (pushing
• Move engine speed control to FAST		speed) and/or run the lawn mower over
		the area a second time.
position or to CHOKE/START position
	• If a trail of grass clipping is left on the right
on models equipped with choke feature.
		side of a rear discharge lawn mower, mow
• If your mower has a primer, to start a
		in a clockwise direction with a small overlap
cold engine, push primer the number of
		to collect the clippings on the next pass.
times as instructed in the engine manual
	•	Pores in cloth grass catchers can be-
packed with your mower. Use a firm

push. This step is not usually necessary		come filled with dirt and dust with use
		and the catcher will collect less grass.
when starting an engine which has
		To prevent this, regularly hose catcher
already run for a few minutes.
		off with water and let dry before use.
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